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Builders in Kensington | Home Renovations, Extensions & Conversions W8
Residential Construction in Kensington
Dominant Construction is an FMB-registered building contractor with 15+ years' experience delivering high-end residential projects across Kensington and Prime Central London.
House Renovations in KENSINGTON
Kensington's housing stock spans grand stuccoed terraces around Queen's Gate and Cornwall Gardens, garden squares like Kensington Square itself, and villa-style properties bordering Holland Park.
What Does a Home Renovation Cost in KENSINGTON?
Renovation costs in Kensington sit above the London average, driven by the scale of structural work, the specification expected in W8 and W11, and the complexity of RBKC's conservation area framework — with Listed Building Consent required on a significant share of properties. A cosmetic refresh with no structural change generally starts from £38,000, while a full house renovation on a Kensington terrace, including rewiring, replumbing, and bespoke joinery, typically runs £190,000 to £490,000, rising further where basement excavation or listed building work is involved.
Name
Kitchen Remodel Price
Full or partial kitchen update, including cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and appliances.
Updates to fixtures (heated towel rail, extractor fans etc.), tiling, lighting, and storage for a refreshed bathroom.
An experienced bathroom installer can best advise here and consult with you on saving money.
Enhancements to flooring, lighting, wall finishes, and layout for improved comfort and style.
Updates to flooring, closets, lighting, and wall treatments to create a comfortable retreat.
Customises space for productivity, including desk installation, shelving, and lighting.
Comprehensive update across multiple rooms or entire home, including design, materials, and finishes.
House Extensions in Kensington
Renovation costs in Kensington sit above the London average, driven by the scale of structural work, the specification expected in W8 and W11, and the complexity of RBKC's conservation area framework — with Listed Building Consent required on a significant share of properties. A cosmetic refresh with no structural change generally starts from £38,000, while a full house renovation on a Kensington terrace, including rewiring, replumbing, and bespoke joinery, typically runs £190,000 to £490,000, rising further where basement excavation or listed building work is involved.
Popular Types of House Extensions
- Rear extensions — the most common approach, extending into the rear garden with bifold or Crittall-style glazing bringing in natural light while the front elevation stays untouched.
- Side return extensions — infilling the narrow side alley common on Victorian terraces, typically to widen a kitchen-diner.
- Wraparound extensions — combining rear and side return in one scheme for maximum ground-floor impact.
- Double-storey extensions — extending at both ground and first floor, more likely to attract detailed RBKC scrutiny given the additional roofline impact.
Rear extensions in Kensington typically run £105,000 to £260,000; side return conversions from £62,000 to £125,000; wraparound extensions £160,000 to £360,000; double-storey extensions £225,000 to £460,000.
Loft Conversions in Kensington
Kensington's period roof spaces — Victorian and Edwardian, many with generous pitches — often hold more usable volume than homeowners assume. Because most of Kensington sits within a conservation area, roofline changes almost always require full planning permission, and on listed properties, Listed Building Consent as well.
WHAT DOES A LOFT CONVERSION COST IN KENSINGTON
Costs in Kensington reflect restricted access on narrow streets and mews, the additional design work required for RBKC conservation and listed building applications, and the specification level expected throughout W8 and W11.
Conversion Type
Basement Conversions in KENSINGTON
Basement conversions turn underused cellar space — or newly excavated basements — into home cinemas, gyms, wine cellars, or family living space, without altering the external footprint of a property.
WHAT DETERMINES BASEMENT CONVERSION COST
RBKC's basement policy limits new excavations to a single storey beneath the building footprint, with excavation under gardens capped at 50% of that area. Full planning permission and a structural impact assessment are required — permitted development does not apply to basement work. Cost is driven primarily by excavation depth and underpinning method, waterproofing system — typically Type C cavity drain tanking to BS 8102 — ventilation and lighting solutions, structural complexity including party wall agreements, and finishes specification.
Project Type
Planning Permission, Conservation Areas & Listed Buildings
RBKC's 38 conservation areas cover approximately 70% of the borough, and Kensington accounts for a substantial share — Kensington Palace, Kensington Square, Kensington Court, De Vere, Cornwall, Queensgate, and Holland Park among the named designations covering W8 and the surrounding streets.
- Full planning permission required for external alterations, extensions, roofline changes, and basement work
- Listed Building Consent required in addition where the property is listed — often covering internal alterations as well as external
- Article 4 directions apply across parts of Kensington, removing selected permitted development rights
- Pre-application advice starts from £559, with RBKC maintaining a reported approval rate around 93% for compliant householder applications
- Because RBKC's process is detailed, we handle planning liaison as standard, working alongside the project architect where appointed — telling you what's realistic before a design is drawn, not after a refusal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need planning permission for a house renovation in Kensington?
Purely internal renovations of non-listed buildings generally don't require planning permission, though Building Regulations always apply. Any external alteration almost always requires a full planning application given Kensington's conservation area status. Listed buildings require Listed Building Consent in addition.
Can I convert my basement in Kensington?
Yes, subject to RBKC's basement policy. Basements are limited to a single storey below the original footprint, excavation under gardens is capped at 50% of the garden area, and full planning permission is required.
How long does a full house renovation take in Kensington?
A standard full house renovation runs 4–8 months. Where structural works, basement excavation, or Listed Building Consent are involved, realistic timelines extend to 9–14 months including the planning stage.
Do listed buildings require additional consent?
Yes. Alterations affecting the special architectural or historic character of a listed building require Listed Building Consent in addition to any planning permission, often covering internal changes as well as external.
What size projects do you undertake?
Our experience includes substantial high-end residential projects alongside smaller renovation, refurbishment, and extension projects across Kensington and Prime Central London.
collaboration opportunities.
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info@dominantconstruction.co.uk